KFC pumping money into National Relay Meets

Local Fast Food Restaurant, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) is once again providing sponsorship for the National Relay Meets.

The Relay Meets that is carded for February 23 at the Grenada National Stadium was officially launched before the media last week Tuesday.

During the launch that was witnessed by a number of coaches from the various secondary schools, KFC Financial Controller Justin Penny announced that the Fast Food Restaurant has, this year increased from $30,000.00 to $40,000.00.

Penny said although they are faced with economic challenges, they have been able to make sacrifices.

He said they are assured that once the Fast Food Restaurant invests in the youth, they are investing in the future of the country.

“We do hope that our sponsorship of this relay meet will all be of tremendous value, not only to the youth, but to everyone in the country,” he said.

The KFC Financial Controller disclosed that the Grenada Bottling Company has partnered with them in providing an additional $5,000.00 towards the success of the relay meets.

Co-ordinator of Sports Conrad Francis said the money would be used to provide financial rewards to the athletes.

Francis said first placed winner will receive $150.00, second placed $75.00, and third place $50.00.

Francis said it is expected that all of the secondary schools in the State of Grenada will participate in the relay meets.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth Empowerment and Sports Veda Bruno-Victor pleaded for uniformity of the teams.

Bruno-Victor made a passionate plea to the coaches to ensure that the athletes are “well dressed.”

The Permanent Secretary expressed the ministry’s satisfaction that KFC has once again come forward to provide sponsorship of the relay meets.

She said the ministry is happy that it does not have to spend any money for the sporting activity.

“We are happy because our children would get an exposure, but moreso, because we promised that along with the (Grenada) Athletic Association we are going to lift the standard of the games,” she said.

The contract was signed between KFC’s Managing Director Joseph Ross and Bruno-Victor.

Ross said the true nature of his company continuing to provide sponsorship of the National Relay Meets is to see that Grenada produces another Olympic Gold Medalist, “Kirani James.”

James who is a resident of Gouyave, St. John’s rose to stardom last year after being the first Grenadian to win an Olympic Medal at the London Games.

“We hope this would assist and encourage others to follow,” Ross said.